Images courtesy of Superior Galleries

Significant examples:
PCGS MS-66 Red and Brown" (illustrated above).  Mehl 07/1946 - R.E. Naftzger, Jr., whose collection of Large Cents was sold intact to Eric Streiner on February 23, 1992 - Jay Parino (The Mint) - Superior "Pre-Long Beach Sale" 09/1999:413, "PCGS graded Mint State-66 Red & Brown.  Frosty light steel brown fading down from original mint color, both sides with a substantial amount of underlying faded mint red remaining.  There are a few microscopic tick marks scattered about both sides, but it takes a diligent search to find them.  The only notable defect is a small carbon spot at the right top of the T in CENT.  The "cut" on the cheek is a feature of this obverse die and is present on all examples of the variety.  The fields are smooth and slightly reflective.  This is the Noyes plate coin for the variety, certainly one of the finest known.  Most likely from the famous Nichols hoard of early cents.  EAC graded MS63+."  This coin was listed as MS-60+ and ranked as the second finest example known of the variety in the 1999 printing of "The Official CQR/Noyes Condition Census for U.S. Large Cents 1793-1814" by William C. Noyes.

Recent appearances:
NGC MS-63.  Bowers and Merena Galleries' Robert W. Schwan Collection Sale, October 26-27, 2000, Lot 95, "Sheldon-123, Rev. of 1797, Brown", illustrated @ $5,060.00

NGC MS-62 Brown.  Ex - Bowers & Merena Galleries' "The Rarities Sale", January 3, 2001, Lot 23, "B-12", illustrated, sold for $5,980.00

Sources and/or recommended reading:
"Penny Whimsy" by Dr. William H. Sheldon

"Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial Coins" by Walter Breen

Relevant collector organizations:
Early American Coppers Club